2019 "Best Lawyers in America"

Florida Aircraft Accident Lawyers

Air travel has evolved from the days of the great Pan American flying boats, when travel by air was almost exclusively reserved for wealthy elites to an industry that supported 1.7 billion leisure trips and 452 million business trips in 2014. We have increasingly come to expect cargo continents away to be available for overnight or next day delivery. Travellers are able to reach destinations across the world in hours, when only a century ago the same journey would have taken weeks or months.

Aviation impacts directly or indirectly almost every facet of daily life. From an urgent business trip across the country to fresh seafood flown in daily at your local restaurant, aviation plays a part in delivering needed and convenient goods and services. As the world becomes ever more reliant on air travel, volume increases, and with increased air travel, the risk of air traffic accidents and mishaps also rises.

Despite advancements in technology and safety in air travel, unfortunately accidents do occur. In 2011 (the most recent year available), the accidents per 100,000 flight hours for scheduled and unscheduled air carriers came in at 0.162 and 0.637, respectively. General aviation is recorded at 6.51 accidents per 100,000 flight hours—over ten times more than the worst numbers in commercial aviation. While these numbers may appear high, they pale in comparison to road traffic accidents, of which there are 5.4 million reported annually with 32,000 fatalities.

These aircraft accident figures belie the fact that when aviation accidents occur, they are often dramatic and costly. Emotive images of aircraft remains and tragic stories of personal loss, both in terms of financial costs and the loss of human life, are reported by the media and touch our lives.

With over four decades of experience litigating aviation accident and plane crash cases, Podhurst Orseck understand the complexities of aviation law. Our attorneys have investigated many airline accident cases and have advocated on behalf of hundreds of victims of aviation accidents. Our team have extensive knowledge and experience in the nuances of aviation law and the associated legal issues that can arise such as forum non conveniens, foreign and United States jurisdictional rights and aviation regulatory schemes. Our firm has litigated some of the most notable aviation cases in U.S. history and has built a reputation as one of the premier aviation litigation firms in Florida.

Recent Firm News

MIAMI – May 23, 2019 – Miami-based litigation boutique Podhurst Orseck is pleased to announce that seven of its attorneys have been recognized as leaders in their respective fields in the 2019 edition of Chambers USA, one of the most...

Verdicts & Settlements

When noted scientist and financial analyst Miguel Octavio was hit by a car during an August bicycle ride in Boca Raton, Podhurst Orseck attorneys promised his wife they would do their best to get the case behind them by the holidays.

A federal district court judge on Wednesday gave her final approval to the settlement brought by more than 5,000 former players who accused the N.F.L. of hiding from them the dangers of concussions, a major hurdle in ending one of the most contentious legal battles in league history. The settlement is designed to provide payments of up to $5 million to players who have one of a handful of severe neurological disorders, medical monitoring of all players to determine when or if they may qualify for a payment and $10 million for education about concussions.

Top Class Action FAQs

A: A class action is a type of lawsuit in which the common claims and rights of similarly situated parties are collectively decided in a single case. There is good reason to allow class action lawsuits. It permits individuals who have been harmed to be treated fairly and equitably when contending with defendants who often have significantly more financial resources than individual claimants.

Top Commercial Litigation FAQs

A: This can vary considerably, as each case is unique and brings its own set of circumstances and complexities. Some matters may settle prior to trial while others may proceed to trial and possibly to appellate review.

Recent News & Blog Posts

MIAMI – May 23, 2019 – Miami-based litigation boutique Podhurst Orseck is pleased to announce that seven of its attorneys have been recognized as leaders in their respective fields in the 2019 edition of Chambers USA, one of the most